The Washington critic., 1887-08-30
dark and the fire flies fitted hl,her and


"Althy."
The word was uttered In a hoarse
whisper from the open door behind
Mrs. Gilbert. She did not start to her
feet; she scarcely moved; she fel. cold
and rigid.
"Is that you, Jack DimonsH" she
gasped. ,.,
"Yes, It's me. Get up and come In
here, | want to talk with you. Hurry
up. ! hain't got no time to fool"
Mrs. Gilbert arose and went into the
house. She followed the man into one
of the back rooms. lie carefully closed
the blinds and then struck light. He
was keen sharp faced, well dressed
fellow, with dark complexion and
slight mustache; he looked not unlike
commercial traveller. But across his
face was a ileetng expression that
showed n lurking capacity for villainy.
"You didn't think | knew you this
afternoon, did ye, Althy Crawford
But YOU know amt no fool. Fifteen
minutes after you went by that hotel
had your history since you've been
working this racket"
Mrs. Gilbert threw up one hand In
protest but the man went on talking.
ITO think you'd married n
preacher That's pretty good. How
me and your dad use 10 fool EN- on the
spirit business. I've given up playin'
medium; I'm In more payin' pro.
ftssion. You did make handsome
spirit, though, Altby, when you
stepped out O. that cabinet, all In
white. always thought you and me
would make a deal together, and you fan
| cied you'd slipped me after the old man
died. But now I've found you, and
shan't lose you again, you can just bet
on that. The parson and none of these
folks know anything about you, so |
find. That's where I've got you,
Althy. See?"
The gate ratified as if some one were
trying to open it. Mrs. Gilbert sprang
to her feet.
For Gods sake, Jack, go. That's
my husband-go, please so quick
Jack"
"All right, Althy, I'm off. But I'll
be back again, mind that. Aud any
little present or memento you have for
me-you know"
Some one came quickly up the steps
and tried the door, then knocked softly.
Good by, Althy," said the man,
with touch of softness. He put his
arm about her and kissed her; she could
not resist. And In II moment he was
zone.
Mrs. Gilbert tossed back her head in
dipnantly; her nostrils dilated with
anger. Then she iieIcely wiped her
mouth with her handkerchief and ran
to let her husband In He kissed her
tenderly and walked up stairs with his
arm about her waist.
The next morning as they sat at the
breakfast table Mr.. Gilbert said to his
wife:
"lm going down after breakfast to
see If the new organ came last night.
Won't you come with me, dear! The
walk will do you good"
As they neared the square they saw a
crowd of men and boys around the door
OF the bank.
Il wonder what the trouble Ia at the
bank, =" said Mr.. Gilbert.
| They crossed the street and ques
toned some one on the outskirts of the
crowd. The bank had been broken
into the night before. One Of the bur
glars had escaped, but the other had
been shot by the cashier. The man was
dying or dead.
just at that moment q wagon drove
up TO the sidewalk The crowd
parted; four men came out, carrying
The dead robber on o cot. AS they
lifted the upper end onto the wagon
Mis-. Gilbert caught a glimpse OF the
face. She turned dea,hly pale for d
moment, and her heart stopped beating.
II was Jack Dimons. Her husband 8
voice sounded far away as he said
gently:
Come, Althy, we mustn't stand
here. 1t is making you faint already. u
They walked on across the square
Mrs. Gilbert leaning on her husband
arm.
She was very silent all the morning
I bu, later in the day the young ministe
would drop his pen from time to tint
aud listen TO her joyous song as sh,
fitted about the house at her work.
Glow happy Althy is today h,
said to himself. JOHN S. Phillips.